The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) invites you to participate in a public meeting to learn about the water quality of the Otter Creek Watershed and how IDEM is working to develop a Total Maximum Daily Load of pollutants that allows the rivers and streams to meet water quality standards.
What is a Total Maximum Daily Load?
A Total Maximum Daily Load, or TMDL, is the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards. A TMDL is the sum of the allowable loads of a single pollutant from all contributing point and nonpoint sources. The calculation must include a margin of safety to ensure that the waterbody can be used for the purposes the State has designated. IDEM is developing TMDLs for impaired waters in Indiana to characterize the causes of the impairments and identify potential sources of pollution.

What are water quality standards?
Water quality standards are set by the state of Indiana. They identify the designated uses for each waterbody, such as for drinking water, contact recreation (swimming), and aquatic life support (fishing). The water quality standards also set the scientific criteria to support each designated use. Any waterbody that does not meet the standards for a given pollutant is considered impaired.

What are the water quality impairments in the Otter Creek Watershed?
The Otter Creek watershed has several streams that are impaired for E.coli. IDEM is working to develop an E.coli Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the entire Otter Creek Watershed.

What is E. coli and why should we care?E. coli is the abbreviated name for a bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. The presence of E. coli is used as an indicator of the overall sanitary quality of soil and water environments. Water becomes contaminated through either exposure to point (permitted activities) or nonpoint source pollution. The sources of contaminants can include a mal-functioning septic system, domestic animal wastes (overflow from feedlots, animals defecating in streams and ditches, runoff and leaching from manure applied to fields, wild animal waste (mammals and birds), and combined sewer overflows.

How can I help to improve our water quality?
You can help by attending this meeting and becoming involved in the TMDL development. At this meeting, IDEM will provide an overview of TMDLs, general information on why Otter Creek was listed for E. coli and some preliminary data that has been collected and evaluated. We would also like to discuss how you can help us learn more about your watershed to complete this TMDL. More information on IDEM’s TMDL Program can be found at www.watersheds.IN.gov/2347.htm.

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